Ryan Feierabend two games into six-year MLB comeback with Rangers, 7th former Rev to reach MLB

Former York Revolution pitcher Ryan Feierabend (’12) became the seventh Rev alum to reach Major League Baseball back on July 13 when he came out of the Texas Rangers bullpen at home against the Angels for an inning and a third. He waited six days for a second appearance, tossing an inning and two-thirds July 19 in Toronto. The number of former Revs to reach the show continues to explode, as Feierabend is the third player to do so this season. The six most recent York to MLB players have all been pitchers, and have all ascended to the Majors since the mid-way point of the 2012 season, four of which accomplished the feat since the beginning of last season. Feierabend is the third pitcher off York’s 2012 staff alone to reach the big leagues. More:

The lefty made 17 starts for York in 2012 around time at Triple-A Louisville for the Reds, and established the single-season franchise record for ERA at 2.71. He was signed by Texas as a non-roster invitee to spring training following that season, and spent the last season and a half pitching for Triple-A Round Rock until his contract was selected by the Rangers from the minors on July 12.

The call-up completed a six-year MLB comeback for Feierabend, who last pitched in the Majors for the Seattle Mariners in 2008. Primarily a starter during his career, he made 25 appearances and 19 starts for Seattle between 2006 and 2008. Texas called him up to come out of the bullpen, after he made 24 appearances and 16 starts for Round Rock last season, and 19 starts for Round Rock this year. Feierabend was their opening day starter this season. Remarkably, it’s not even the biggest MLB comeback this month for a former Revolution pitcher, with Julio DePaula’s seven-year comeback after being called up to the Orioles earlier this month.

Feierabend allowed a hit, a run and a walk in his first appearance against the Angels. Against the Blue Jays, he picked up his first MLB strikeouts in six seasons when he got his man looking to begin and end the bottom of the sixth. In that inning he made a throwing error on a bunt back to the mound by former Toronto top-prospect Anthony Gose, but then picked Gose off first, to the surprise of no one that saw him play in York. Feierabend has been revered for his pick-off move throughout his career, a move that isn’t any easier for big leaguers to pick up. Feierabend exited with two out in the seventh after allowing a pair of runs however, after Melky Cabrera and Jose Bautista led the inning with singles.

Hopefully Feierabend receives a sustained opportunity in the Majors despite a few struggles, and if Texas uses him a little more frequently than every six days, it will only make him more comfortable, one would assume. The Cleveland, OH native is still a young man in a baseball sense; the 28-year-old was drafted by Seattle out of high school in 2003 in the third round. After debuting as a Major Leaguer at age 20, Feierabend’s best baseball days may very well still be ahead of him. Here is Feierabend’s player page on the Rangers website, where you can watch him pick off Gose.